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[sheila99]

 I can't take large wuantities of alcohol

This made me laugh, sounds like you've had quite a lot 

[Hurdity]

 I can't take large wuantities of alcohol

This made me laugh, sounds like you've had quite a lot 

  that would be pretty bad at 8 in the morning!

Lynda07 - sounds like you are going in the right direction and great to keep yourself informed...

All the best

Hurdity x

[Lynda07]

Hi and thanks again for your replies.

I spoke to my GP today, she was lovely. She said in Scotland they don't use QRisk, they use ASSIGN and on that I come out with a score of 12 which is not high risk due to other, more positive factors. But - because my overall and bad cholesterol is so high she wants to refer me to a Lipid Clinic to see if I am suffering from Familial Hypercholesterolemia which I hadn't heard of until recently. So I'm to carry on making changes towards a healthier diet and wait for the appointment. She understands my worries about statins and medication in general but did say if it's Familial Hypercholesterolemia I won't get it down with lifestyle changes and I accept that - I am just grateful for the opportunity to be tested and to discuss it with someone who specialises in this kind of thing as opposed to being handed a prescription for statins with no other information or advice (which happened at a previous GP surgery).

Just thought I'd update you

[ATB]

That’s a great update because now you sound as if you feel you have better care, and are more informed. Those things help with the anxiety around stuff like this. Best of luck with everything and let us know how it all goes.

[Lynda07]

That's exactly how I feel ATB. I was absolutely dreading the call from the GP today, just due to my own health anxiety and general anxiety but I now feel better informed and confident I am getting the best care. Thanks for your good wishes and I will let you know.

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.

Lynda07 - I am pleased that you are being referred to a specialist. I friend of mine had a heart attack at age fifty one and was found to have  Familial Hypercholesterolemia. He was told that his high cholesterol could never be controlled by diet alone and was prescribed statins. This was over twenty years ago and he has been well ever since. Some of his family members were subsequently tested and also found to have the same condition. You may want to ask your relatives if they have similar problems with cholesterol as  this might give you a clue as to whether FH is a likely cause.

I hope this helps in some way.

Take care.

K.

[Lynda07]

Thank you Kathleen. If it is Familial Hypercholesterolmia I will definitely take whatever is prescribed, despite my fear of medication; glad to hear your friend has been well ever since.
Mum and dad are no longer with me although I don’t ever recall any talk of statins or cholesterol (as opposed to talk of other medications they took). I am able to ask a maternal cousin if she knows anything. I do feel better now I am getting this referral. Thank you for replying.

[mandybaker]

I have high cholesterol, despite being on a diet for most of life as I am overweight.  I have been taking Atorvastatin for approx 5 years and haven't had any side effects.

I have a family history of high cholesterol and heart problems and my younger brother died of a heart attack 5 years ago so I feel a bit like I am living on borrowed time.  However according to the doctors white women do not have heart attacks and despite my family history and my own high cholesterol I virtually had to beg to go on to statins and get no follow up at all on this.  A private medical originally showed up the problem but when the GP re-ran the tests a month later the results were much lower, personally I think they dumb down some of the results to control their costs as I have the same when they weigh me, nurse says I'm fine but my BMI says differently!

I watch what I eat and exercise regularly but it is the pills that keep it under control, if I forget for a while (as you have to take them at night) my cholesterol soon goes back up.  A bit of research shows that some people actually over produce cholesterol, but its pointless talking to a GP about this as they just want you out of their office as quick as possible.

[Lynda07]

mandybaker, thanks for that, it's encouraging to know you've not had any side effects.